LINDEMAN WINS THOMPSON
Andy Lindeman of Poestenkill, NY, scored the victory in 20-lap feature event for the visiting New England Truck Series. Howard Payne was strong right from the drop of the green flag. He cruised out to a comfortable lead over Andy Lindeman. The margin was erased after an incident on the front stretch that involved Keith Chapman. Lindeman got the jump on the restart and was the new leader on lap five. Duane Knoll ran comfortably in third over a brewing battle between Allen Coates, driving in relief of his son Corey, and Jason Lafayette. Back up front, Payne was looking racy; working over Lindeman for the lead.
At halfway, the best battle on the speedway was for the lead between Lindeman and Payne. Knoll had the best seat in the house in third. Coates, Lafayette, and Nate Bubello completed the top five. Payne got alongside Lindeman on lap 12. The two went door-to-door for the top spot for several laps before a caution on lap 15 for an incident between Derek Chriss and Shane Michalski cooled the battle.
The duo resumed their side-by-side battle on the restart. Lindeman and Payne made contact exiting turn two on lap 16. The contact allowed Knoll to make a run. Knoll was able to steal the second spot away. Payne stayed glued to the back bumper of Knoll while Lindeman got away from the pack.
Behind the leader they went two-by-two for position. Knoll and Payne ran side-by-side for second while Lafayette and Coates were two-wide for fourth with the white flag waving. Lindeman cruised in for the victory. Knoll edged Payne for second Lafayette edged out Coates for fourth.
New England Truck Series (Top Ten) Feature Finish: 1. Andy Lindeman, Poestenkill, NY; 2. Duane Knoll, Monroe, CT; 3. Howard Payne, Shelton, CT; 4. Jason Lafayette, Somers, CT; 5. Allen Coates, Ledyard, CT; 6. Nate Bubello, Holliston, MA; 7. Bert Ouellette, Dayville, CT; 8. Derek Chriss, Averill, NY; 9. Shane Michalski, Woodstock, CT; 10. Tom Smith, Hope Valley, RI.